Hail the jolly red giant: As burly as Tyson Fury, with a punch to match. And mighty Malbec (especially from Argentina) is knockout with steak

By Olly Smith Event for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 17:39 EDT, 29 January 2016 | Updated: 17:48 EDT, 30 January 2016 Spicy aromas with plush, opulent splendour, this wonder wine belongs in your glass

But while it can be as flavoursome as licking a blackberry the size of the Moon, Malbec is also a wine grape capable of delivering an intriguing range of aromas, from violet fragrance to gamey spice. So how can you pick a style to suit your taste?

For more savoury wines with herby flourishes, source your Malbec from France’s Cahors, where it is known as ‘Cot’.

This appellation produces meaty reds known as ‘black wines’ that are full of flavour.

There are bargains to be had elsewhere in France such as Vignobles Rousselet Malbec £4.39 (12.5 per cent), in Aldi, from the Languedoc.

But for a fantastic all-round Malbec moment, visit tanners-wines.co.uk and order Martinfort Malbec Sélection Belles Vignes IGP D’Oc 2014 (12 per cent) at £7.40.

French Malbec tends to be less bold and fruity than the opulence of Argentina. It’s here that Malbec redefined itself from southern-French bit-part player into bona fide headliner.

While there are good bottles from Chile, South Africa, Australia and beyond, it’s in Argentina’s Mendoza where Malbec has really put down roots.

And when it comes to pairing with steak, it’s a heavenly match that really ought to be billed on menus everywhere as an angelic double-act.

The balance of textures and intensity of flavours echo one another beautifully.

Cacio & Pepe, London

Excellent lunch with cricketing legend Henry ‘Blowers’ Blofeld and his charming wife Valeria accompanied by glasses of Lacrima di Morro Italian red.

There are good supermarket bottles to nab with your beefy treats, such as Morrisons M Signature Malbec 2014 (13.5 per cent), £8, or Sainsbury’s Santa Julia Malbec 2014 (13.5 per cent), £6.50 on offer.

But for that mighty Malbec moment, get your hands on top-level kit from producers such as Achaval Ferrer, Pulenta, Mendel, Catena Zapata, Cuvelier Los Andes, Fabre Montmayou or Salentein and harness their glory to the best steak your butcher can muster.

Olly's brand new Fizz Glass by Zalto - the perfect Valentine's gift. Deliciously elegant with a unique short stem £22.50 at ollysmith.com/shop Olly Smith on Malbec: Hail the jolly red giant: As burly as Tyson Fury, with a punch to match. And mighty Malbec (especially from Argentina) is knockout with steak
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